johnwl-@attbi.com
This is the perfect opportunity for me to make a
statement about cycling teams and what they have to
offer. I would like to point out that there are teams
out there that teach entry-level racers the skills they
need to compete in road races, crits, track races, and
time trials. I can definitely say that Team Oregon
(www.teamoregon.org) offers this, as I have been on the
team at least 5 years now. On our team road rides, we
work on pack riding skills, echelons, pacelines,
cornering, and bumping drills. I am sure there are
other teams that offer similar encouragement for riders
looking to learn from more experienced riders.
A word of advice to new racers. When you look for a
cycling team to join, don't look at how much free stuff
you will get as a member. Look at what they will
actually do to support you and if the team offers
structured training rides that will help you improve as
a cyclist.
Of course if you are already a fast rider and don't need
to learn anything, then lots of free stuff is great.
John
Hi
The Saturday clinic was definitely successful (speaking as an attendee), and
it should be reproduced by others. The instruction was clear, smart, and
patient, and it's clear that there're a lot of potentially good teachers in
the sport. This kind of casual, just-show-up kind of instruction seems
lacking road racing, where advice tends to be either abusive or post hoc
(post crash).
Considering the importance of technique and consistency (and the physical
dangers of not understanding them) in crits and road racing in general, it's
unfortunate how much is left to chance and informal transmission of
information. It's easier by far to learn about how to participate in
mountain bike events, or marathons for that matter, than it is to get
started in road racing outside the club/team circuit (which is not a
possibility for everyone). The "learn to race on the track" Wednesdays at
Alpenrose and the series of classes at Marymoor are good models, as well as
the cyclocross clinics in the late summer, and demonstrate the quality
possible with limited resources and abundant good will.
I'm not a promoter or event organizer (or even a racer), but I'd be
interested in participating with anyone who would like to introduce some
systematic opportunities for that kind of instruction, because when it
happens, it's great. If I'm wrong about this, and this stuff is available
easily and often beyond what I've mentioned, please let me know --
Mark
Dr. Mark Jenkins, Director
Web-based Learning & Instructional Technology
Marylhurst University
Marylhurst, Oregon 97036
mjen-@marylhurst.edu
503.699-6315
800.634-9982
-----Original Message-----
From: Meadors, Ivan C [mailto:Ivan.C.-@intel.com]
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2002 11:53 AM
To: 'shel-@yahoo.com'; ayton-@hotmail.com; ob-@topica.com
Subject: [OBRA Chat] A lesson in cornering ....
Coincidentally, Corben-Huntair team members & Marjon Marik lead a ride
on Saturday, 5/11, from River City Bicycles to Swan Island for riders
interested in experiencing criterium training. The riders separated into
smaller groups and various skills were practiced around the Swan Island
criterium course. It was acknowledged by those who attended as "successful"
and a comment was made about whether this would be done again. It sounds
like there is interest in another ride of this type. This may happen, but
at this time our team (Corben-Huntair) has not made a definite plan to do
this.
-----Original Message-----
From: John K [mailto:shel-@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2002 11:37 AM
To: ayton-@hotmail.com; ob-@topica.com
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] A lesson in cornering....
An interesting topic which I'm glad has come up for
discussion.
I've returned to racing after almost a 20 year
vacation. Back then racing as a junior in New Jersey
the corners were used to weed out the inexperienced
racers. Some times a corner would be taken inside and
the next time around it would be from the outside,
always keep 'em guessing I guess.
Needless to say I saw a few serious crashes back then
and am curious / concerned about cornering out here
there days. Learning through observation can only get
ya so far, and since I'm a bit older and coming back
as a Cat 5 I'm not so proud that I won't ask for help.
Where? Where can we learn to corner? Are there
groups that get together in the area that just play
practice criterium?
Any info is always appreciated
-J
--- Patrick Edenfield <ayton-@hotmail.com> wrote:
This message is to all 4/5 riders who want to
compete in short course
criteriums. Yesterday in the Lake Oswego Crit,
someone in the 4/5 race
thought they could pass by taking an inside line on
turn 2 on the last
lap. If the field is taking an outside line, and 1
rider tries to enter
the turn on an inside line, then that 1 person is
going to cause a crash
- which did happen. The only place to pass on such
a course is the
straights. For the safety of everyone, and the
continued success of
these great 'downtown' courses please learn how to
corner, and when to
pass.
Patrick Edenfield
To respond to the whole group send to ob-@topica.com.
To respond to the list manager send to ob-@teleport.com
To unsubscribe send to obra-uns-@topica.com
To respond to the whole group send to ob-@topica.com.
To respond to the list manager send to ob-@teleport.com
To unsubscribe send to obra-uns-@topica.com